I tried to read this all, but I'm here way tooooooo late

IMO
/lounge/water hole/
If needed, throw a link in the welcome message to new users about the sub forum. Not a thread.
Include it in the forum rules.
Maybe in the both sections of device's stickies. Atr guide and F.A.Q.
Just a little come hang out and "chit chat" here 'link' Once again, not a thread link, sub forum link.
That will do a few things, get them out of the device forum.
Promote community based discussion.
And hopefully expose them to the lounge also.
I can say for at least the first 8 months I was here, I didn't even know what the lounge was. I still don't go there to often.
PS Free advertising
PS.s.S
Sorry. I've been up all night trying to work out a cm10 build, so if any of this didn't make sense, l sorry